Journal Sentinel Agent of the Week

Journal Sentinel Agent of the Week

Beth Jaworski, Shorewest Realtors

Agent kept her career rolling after steering to real estate

By Robert Warde -- Dec. 21, 2013

Beth Jaworski was in the car business prior to selling real estate. She was working at an Infiniti dealer as the finance manager. After the first Gulf War, the luxury tax hit, things were restructured and she was no longer happy with where she was. “I had a few friends whose mothers were real estate agents and my boyfriend at the time had a father who was a builder. As I was searching, more and more people told me I should try real estate and they thought I’d be good at it. I got my license in the summer of 1992 and I’ve never looked back,” she said. Jaworski talks about her career in this edited interview.

What do you enjoy about selling real estate?
I love the people and, after so many years, I have quite a few families that I have helped. In one family the grandmother, the grandson and I recently started selling for the children who are now grown up and buying their first homes. It can make me feel a bit old, but I still love it. Of course, the best is helping them solve their problems and achieving their goals. The last few years especially was tough to sell a house at times. But when a client comes to me and I make happen what other agents could not, there is nothing like having happy clients.

What is your biggest challenge at this point?
Finding someone to add to my team is a challenge. I have a licensed assistant who has worked with me since 2008. We have been blessed in that every year through the downturn we have sold more houses than the last. Now I am looking for someone administrative to work in the office because, with the market coming back, we just have more and more business. And I want to continue to deliver the high level of service we always have.

How do you consider yourself to be different from other agents?
One, I have the experience. I am also very involved not only in the community, but also with the real estate groups on the state and national levels. I also never quit learning and go to seminars, conventions and classes. I hold the Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) designation, which only 3% of agents hold. I am also a member of the Cyberstar Group, which consists of about 20 agents nationwide who are top producers and use technology. I am always changing with the market.

What role should an agent play for a client?
We wear a lot of hats. The No. 1 thing is to be an educator, because some people have not been in the market for 10, 20 or 30 years. We need to be sure they understand the process and the market, and then constantly explain the contracts, what to expect and the timelines. We also need to be a positive force and accessible.

What qualities make for a good realtor?
You need to be optimistic and a cheerleader for your clients. You need to be patient and persistent, and you need to be a very good listener and good communicator.

What have you learned from your clients?
I have learned many things and have worked with fascinating people. The No. 1 thing I have learned is not to prejudge, but just bring them the information and see what they say. Also you need to dig a little deeper, because sometimes what they tell us is their reason for doing something may not be the real reason. So you have to dig a little deeper to understand what their real goals are.

Have you had any mentors?
My main mentor passed away several years ago, Howard Brenton. He was originally a broker and then became a trainer for the Certified Residential Specialist program and then formed the Star Power Group. Out of that grew seminars, conferences and other tools. Another mentor is Don Horning, head of Shorewest Realtors. He knows everyone by name and sends handwritten notes. The others are the members of my mentoring group. I would not be where I am without all of their help.

How do you recharge during downtime?
I participate in a number of community events that I enjoy. I am a Gardening Angel for the Wauwatosa Beautification Committee. I love to garden and plant, and I maintain a bed at one of the community planting areas and have done that since 2004. I will be a docent on their garden tour. I love to read and try to walk for an hour a day. I love my neighbors and spend time with them. We have a dining club, book club, wine club and home remodeling club. I also enjoy going to the movies.

What professional or charitable organizations or activities are you involved with?
I am very involved with the state and local real estate organizations. From 2004 through 2009 I served on the board of directors of the Greater Milwaukee Association of REALTORS®, was the president of the association in 2008, and served on the Standards Committee. I am also on the Wauwatosa Historical Society board of directors. And I am a big supporter of the Hoyt Park pool.

Contact Information

I hope that this website was able to assist in your search for a home, or in your quest for information about buying or selling a home. Please do not hesitate to contact Beth Jaworski of Shorewest Realtors with any questions. Email is sold@bethjaworski.com and cell number is (414) 520-8555. Thanks!